Byfuglien, Sopel "Surprise Scratches"

by J.P. on Nov 20, 2008 10:28 PM EST

Gettin' closer...

"[Dustin] Byfuglien and veteran defenseman Brent Sopel were surprise scratches for the [Dallas] game. Both have been mentioned in trade speculation, most prominently in the last few days, when Byfuglien reportedly was headed to the Capitals for Nylander. The Hawks nixed that deal, apparently because they couldn't stay under the salary cap if they acquired Nylander.

"Adding Sopel to the deal would allow them to do that[.]"

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Sooo... Nyls + Fehr for Byfuglien + Sopel? I don't see Chicago doing that without other value (a draft pick, prospect, whatever) being thrown in.

Nyls + someone else for Byfuglien + Sopel? "Someone else" would have to be cheap, but useful.

Hmmmmmm.

by Grunthos on Nov 20, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions

Hmmmmm. According to what I can find, Byfuglien's cap number is $3 million and Sopel's is $2.33 million. Nylander's is $4.875. So maybe another team is involved.

But, there's also a lot of guys the Caps can add to make it even out. Like Fehr, at $735,000 (though unless the Caps think Byfuglien is significantly better than Fehr, that's a hard number to swallow). Other guys whose cap numbers could make such a swap work for the Caps (not sure how much wiggle room the Hawks have): Bradley ($1m), Gordon ($725k), Lepisto ($700k), Bourque ($625k).

Also a little weird that Nylander is active for the Caps if the Hawks scratched Byfuglien and Sopel, since the Caps had a later start time.

by jason on Nov 20, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions

do we really want Byfuglien AND Sopel if our only reason for getting rid of Nyles is for Cap space? Maybe we can give them Jurcina too.

by dbfreudber on Nov 20, 2008 11:07 PM EST reply actions

If we acquire both of those guys for Nylander, I'm going to have to call McPhee a fucking idiot. Hey, let's get some cap room by trading Nylander and then immediately filling up the cap space he left free with 2 nobodies! BRILLIANT!

Just get some damn draft picks and call up our prospects and be done with it, already.

by Hazardous on Nov 20, 2008 11:18 PM EST reply actions

Of note, according to coach Quennville Byfuglien was a non-healthy scratch while Sopel was healthy.

by jh on Nov 20, 2008 11:19 PM EST reply actions

If Byfuglien is a non-healthy scratch, perhaps the intent is Nylander for Sopel and some cap space, and perhaps a draft pick or two.

by this space for rent on Nov 20, 2008 11:37 PM EST reply actions

Doing just that would put the Hawks over the cap and they've still got a ($900K) d-man returning from injury soon. I think it's a false alarm...for now. I still think a 3rd team would have to get in on it.

by jh on Nov 20, 2008 11:44 PM EST reply actions

Reports on Byfuglien's scratch seem sketchy...apparently he came on the ice to practice this morning and was pulled, per one of these links that JP put up. Who knows at this point.

I do know one thing: if he becomes a Cap, his nickname wrote itself. Fugly.

by jason on Nov 21, 2008 12:16 AM EST reply actions

If we can't get at least 2M in cap space, this Byf+Sopel for Nyls deal makes absoLUTEly no friggin sense. Just give us Cam Barker at <1M, an RFA at the end of the year, and be done with it already

But I question why the rush all of a sudden. Our injury sitch is not exactly clear right now.

breathe

by bigonetimer on Nov 21, 2008 12:21 AM EST reply actions

While the rumoured guys coming to the Caps aren't stars by any stretch of the imagination, I would find it highly unlikely that the 'Hawks trade Cam Barker in any deal, let alone for just Nylander. Barker plays 20+ minutes a night, plus ample PP time with Campbell, since being recalled from the AHL. Barker was also a top 5 pick not so long ago. Unless there's a prime draft pick or another young and comparable prospect coming to the 'Hawks in addition, Barker seems like a long shot.

by bkblades on Nov 21, 2008 6:27 AM EST reply actions

@ hazardous,

Byfuglin is a 245 pound forward who socred 19 goals as a rookie 22 year old. That's the kind of thing that makes noise in the NHL. Sopel is a solid top four defenseman. These aren't the Ivan Cierniks and Joel Kwiatkowskis of the world.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Capitals get DB and Sopel to make the cap space work for Chicago and then to immediately trade Sopel somewhere else for a draft pick and call up Alzner.

by DMG on Nov 21, 2008 10:34 AM EST reply actions

I'd have to say that plan is still kinda crappy. We don't really need to bring in a 20 goal scorer, we have that in Bourque if he's given a season to work and get into the NHL swing. I just don't think it's a smart move getting either of those guys when we can free up a LOT of cap room losing Nylander and calling up Bourque and Alzner, saving the rest for injuries or whathaveyou.

by Hazardous on Nov 21, 2008 7:25 PM EST reply actions

It's very, very unlikely the Hawks are going to be able to take on Nylander's salary without moving someone on their team who has a cap hit of 2 million.

I still think getting Sopel and being able to replace Sloan and Jurcina with Sopel and Alzner would be a good plan.

by DMG on Nov 21, 2008 11:36 PM EST reply actions

I would agree with you, though Sloan has shown some decent ability in his time for a guy just starting out. Replace his name with Morrisonn and I'm on board.

by Hazardous on Nov 22, 2008 7:21 AM EST reply actions

I see a few posts here saying Byfuglien isn't worth it, a nobody, etc. Let me assure you... Byfuglien would be well worth it for you guys. I am here in Chicago and have watched Byfuglien come up to the big club and excel last season. He is having a slow start but he got hurt beofre last game of season last year and was a late attendee to training camp with the lingering injury. With this in mind I understand why the slow start. Besides being a great two-way threat Byfuglien does so many other little things that matter. He is impossible to knock out of the way (real strong guy). He is dangerously physical and opens ice up for the other players. He has a wicked slap shot but soft hands around the net. I could only imagine what Ovechkin's numbers would look like with Byfuglien opening the ice for him. As if Ovie needed any help, right? LOL

As for Sopel... please take him. Such potential and just makes bonehead plays.

I am a Hawks season ticket holder and would hate to see Big Buff go... and I would need to get a new jeresy too but knowing me I'd piss off my fellow fans by showing up to the Hawks game in a Caps jersey with Byfuglien on the back. Yeah... I am a huge Buff fan and if he comes there you will be too. Trust me.

by BigBuff33 on Nov 23, 2008 8:47 AM EST reply actions

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